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The layer of mystery surrounding James van Riemsdyk's injury has been lifted.

"I'm going to give you the goods," Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle told salivating reporters following Thursday's optional morning skate ahead of tonight's home tilt with the Carolina Hurricanes.

"He's out with back spasms."

And now we know.

The Leafs' top goal scorer, who missed Tuesday's win over Minnesota with a then-undisclosed injury that occurred away from the rink, "got up the other morning, got to the rink with back spasms. It wasn't a hockey related injury.

"He skated (Wednesday), was pretty stiff, didn't feel like there was much improvement," Carlyle added. "So that's why we held him off the ice this morning. He'll be treated twice today and it's very unlikely that he'll play tonight."

It leaves a mega hole up front for the Leafs, who are riding a three-game winning streak and sit first in the Eastern Conference at 6-1, helped, at least in part, by top-liner van Riemsdyk's five goals and buzzsaw play around the net.

In his absence, others will be looked upon to step up — and that's nothing new for these Leafs, who early into the season have turned to the farm to fill roster spots left empty by injuries and a suspension.

Marlies captain Trevor Smith, who notched a goal in the win against the Wild, could draw into the lineup once again, while Dave Broll and Josh Leivo will likely continue to get bigger minutes.

"We've been constantly having to make adjustments to our roster based upon availability," Carlyle said. "We've been dealt a few of those situations that we call adversity, but that's to be expected.

"For us, we have some young kids now that are stepping into the lineup and getting an opportunity to show us what they have and they're trying to earn the trust of the coaching staff."

James Reimer appears poised to make his second consecutive start, coming off a solid performance against the Wild on Tuesday that will only fuel the team's seemingly endless goaltending debate.

Only nine skaters took part in the optional skate, with puckstopper Jonathan Bernier on the ice, indicating Reimer will likely get the call.

The Hurricanes have picked up points in five of seven games this season and with the Staal brothers in tow, pose a tremendous challenge. Carolina has burned the Leafs at the ACC in recent times, including 16 wins over the past 23 games.

"Their two top centres (Eric and Jordan Staal), they're big guys that control the puck down low," Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said. "When you've got two big defenceman, you've got to play them physical. You've got to take their time away, you want to neutralize that."